Wheels in motion for cycle touring map of Northumberland

Paul Larkin

A social enterprise has published the official Cycle Touring Map of Northumberland in response to the ever-increasing popularity of cycling.

The Cycle PaD (Portal and Directory) has produced the map, which packed with information and includes all the long-distance cycle trails, not only across Northumberland but on Tyneside as well.

A sample of he new cycle touring map.

It is aimed at cyclists thinking of exploring Northumberland and the neighbouring area and helps plan the route. It contains a comprehensive list of all the day rides you can do in each area, together with handy hints about the routes in, through and out of towns and villages.

A full 234 miles (377 km) of rides are clearly laid out on the map, which also shows alternative routes to off-road sections of long-distance trails and suggests useful link routes across the county. Items of interest are marked along the rides and information is given about more detailed maps for each route and where to get them.

Trails in Kielder Water & Forest Park, and routes across the Otterburn Ranges are shown. To round off this cyclists’ compendium, a new challenge route called The Grand Cycle Tour of Northumberland is also featured – it links The Coast and Castles cycle route, the Pennine Cycleway, and Hadrian’s Cycleway.

A spokesman for the publishers said: “Not only will cyclists have a better experience of cycling around Northumberland with the help of this touring map, but local businesses will find it a useful guide for visitors as well. We’ve even heard that some business have framed our maps and hung them on their walls!”

“Starting and finishing at Newcastle’s Cycle Hub on the Quayside, this touring map is the essential ‘must-have’ for any intrepid cyclist exploring the highways and byways and the hidden beauties of Northumberland.”

The map is now available priced £7.99 from Northumberland Tourist Information Centres and all good bookshops.